Visitors enjoy luncheon, tours

David McKeown/staff photo
Members of the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America watch Thursday as horses pull a 1909 Ahrens Steam Pumper down Jardin Street in Shenandoah.

SHENANDOAH - About 40 fire trucks lined South Jardin Street in Shenandoah on Thursday, not to fight a fire, but to welcome an international group of visitors who love antique and classic fire equipment.

Two busloads of members of the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America came to the borough early Thursday afternoon to tour the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society and its collection and enjoy a luncheon of kielbasi and pierogies.

"This is wonderful, I'll tell you," SHFC Vice President Al Bright said. "This is really nice to see and we really appreciate all the people coming out."

SPAAMFAA was founded in 1958 and has more than 3,000 members in more than 50 chapters in the world, with most chapters in the United States, according to the organization's website at www.spaamfaa.org. Those who came to Shenandoah have been attending the 2013 SPAAMFAA National Convention and Muster since Wednesday in Cherry Hill, N.J. The bus tour first stopped at the KME-Kovatch Organization fire apparatus plant in Nesquehoning to see a factory that makes fire apparatus.

After leaving Nesquehoning, the bus tour headed toward Shenandoah. SHFC President Michael Kitsock and other society members went to Mahanoy City to meet the buses and escort them to Shenandoah and to South Jardin Street, where the fire society museum is located. Along the unit and 100 blocks, fire trucks lined both sides of the street. The visitors disembarked in front of the museum and the buses moved to the to end of the block. More than 100 SPAAMFAA members were on hand, plus enough local people to bring the count to about 200 people.

"On behalf of the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society, welcome to Shenandoah, Pennsylvania," Kitsock said in his welcome. "This is our attempt to help preserve 200-plus years of volunteer firefighting history in this area of Pennsylvania."

Welcoming the visitors on behalf of the borough was Mayor Andrew Szczyglak.

"I'd like to welcome you to our nice, small community of Shenandoah. Even though we're small, it's very rich in firefighting history," Szczyglak said. "Mr. Kitsock and his crew have done a fantastic job bringing history to our borough and Schuylkill County. I think you will enjoy your tour, and, once again, on behalf of the borough of Shenandoah and other borough officials, I would like to welcome you."

Kitsock then asked for a volunteer from among the tour group to sound the Gamewell Alarm system from the fire alarm box at Jardin and Oak streets, choosing Robert Schemelia, Gloucester City, N.J., to do the honors. Both walked across the street, and Schemelia pulled the lever, sounding the loud alarm. The alarm is about 120 years old and on the roof of the fire society. The building has been used as a borough hall and the home of the Columbia Hose and Steam Fire Company No. 1.

After the alarm sounded, three large Percheron fire horses - Trena, Kate and Della - were brought in and hitched to the 1909 Ahrens steam fire pumper, which is part of the fire society's collection. Kitsock said the draft horses came from Newville, located near Harrisburg.

"The Percheron horses were the right breed for the fire equipment," Kitsock said. "They were strong, but they were also fast. And you always wanted to have a matched set, which you see here."

Once the horses were hitched, the 1906 Ahrens was taken from the museum and driven north on Jardin Street, then returned. Riding with a driver was Bright.

"Al is a fourth generation firefighter from the Columbia Hose," Kitsock said. "His father was a line-of-duty death here in town."

SPAAMFAA member Howard Peiffer, 72, of Palm Coast, Fla., was enjoying the visit, taking photos whenever he could. He spoke first of his KME tour.

"It was very nice. We went through the factory and showed us the different components of how they put fire trucks together right from scratch, how they paint them and mount all the equipment," Peiffer said.

Peiffer was looking forward to checking out the many classic and antique fire trucks along the street.

"They say this is one of the premier museums in the country as far as the collection that they've gathered over the years," he said.

An unexpected treat of the luncheon was a concert by Metro Vancouver Firefighters Band. The members of the musical group from Canada attended the SPAAMFAA convention and came to Schuylkill County for the tours and decided to play for the crowd.

According to the SHFS website at www.theshfs.org,, the society is dedicated to the preservation of historical fire apparatus and memorabilia. Its collection encompasses fire engines, steamers, helmets, artifacts, and uniforms, which is housed in the museum, which also serves as the society's headquarters.

The fire society has numerous displays and exhibits of fire equipment and memorabilia for visitors throughout the building. Displays include more than 150 years of fire helmets, parade uniforms, a historical display of fire nozzles and breathing apparatus and a photo wall of Schuylkill County's most serious fires.

The museum is open for fire department, school and private tours. There is no charge for tours, but donations are accepted. Interested groups should contact Kitsock at 570-628-3691 or William Kline at 570-622-3678 to schedule a tour.

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